In what would be a groundbreaking move, a group of United States senators are pushing the United States Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into a major New York City-based United Nations office for its role in the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX,) a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into UNRWA USA, a U.S.-based non-profit that raises funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

Since the attack multiple victims and witnesses report UNRWA employees took part in the attacks, taking and holding hostages and killing innocent civilians.  Hamas weapons have also reportedly been found in UNRWA facilities.

In a statement Cruz points out the UNRWA is “providing material support for terrorism. UNRWA is UNRWA is the second-largest employer in the Gaza Strip and has for decades provided salaries and materials that benefit designated foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas.”

In the letter, the senators wrote, “UNRWA has for decades provided Hamas and other terrorist groups with material support, including the provisioning of personnel, facilities, and physical materials. Those activities have been supported by UNRWA USA fundraising. There can be little doubt that UNRWA USA, its principals, and its leadership knew about these activities.

“The Biden administration has also channeled hundreds of billions of dollars into the Gaza Strip largely through UNRWA.…Israeli officials have presented detailed evidence credibly alleging that 190 UNRWA staff are ‘hardened fighters, killers,’ and that roughly 10% of UNRWA staff – 1,200 personnel – are affiliated with terrorist groups,” the letter points out.

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) cosigned the letter.

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